Q: Are Creative-Commons-licensed works in the public domain?

Creative Commons- licensed works are not necessarily in the public domain. A work with a “ CC0 ” (CC Zero) dedication may have the effect of dedicating it to the public domain. Other kinds of Creative Commons licenses, however, do not have that effect. Creative Commons “share alike” licenses, such as CC BY-SA 2.5 ,might authorize sharing of the work only if the user properly attributes the work to the author. The license may include other restrictions and conditions on use. Works that are shared subject to conditions have not been dedicated to the public domain.

Q: Are Creative-Commons-licensed works in the public domain?

Creative Commons- licensed works are not necessarily in the public domain. A work with a “ CC0 ” (CC Zero) dedication may have the effect of dedicating it to the public domain. Other kinds of Creative Commons licenses, however, do not have that effect. Creative Commons “share alike” licenses, such as CC BY-SA 2.5 ,might authorize sharing of the work only if the user properly attributes the work to the author. The license may include other restrictions and conditions on use. Works that are shared subject to conditions have not been dedicated to the public domain.

Question 1

Are Creative-Commons-licensed works in the public domain?

Tom James · Accepted Answer

Creative Commons-licensed works are not necessarily in the public domain. A work with a “CC0 ” (CC Zero) dedication may have the effect of dedicating it to the public domain. Other kinds of Creative Commons licenses, however, do not have that effect. Creative Commons “share alike” licenses, such as CC BY-SA 2.5 ,might authorize sharing of the work only if the user properly attributes the work to the author. The license may include other restrictions and conditions on use. Works that are shared subject to conditions have not been dedicated to the public domain.

Question 2

Are Creative-Commons-licensed works in the public domain?

Tom James · Accepted Answer

Creative Commons-licensed works are not necessarily in the public domain. A work with a “CC0 ” (CC Zero) dedication may have the effect of dedicating it to the public domain. Other kinds of Creative Commons licenses, however, do not have that effect. Creative Commons “share alike” licenses, such as CC BY-SA 2.5 ,might authorize sharing of the work only if the user properly attributes the work to the author. The license may include other restrictions and conditions on use. Works that are shared subject to conditions have not been dedicated to the public domain.